Futility and Fear

What comes to mind when you hear the term "The Judgement of God"? Chances are you envision earthquakes or thunderstorms or wasting disease or drought. And those are dramatic manifestations of divine judgment.

But, is it possible to live under God's judgment on a day-to-day basis and not even know it?

I propose that it is, based on my reading of Psalm 78. This psalm retells the story of Israel's wanderings in the wilderness, of God's miracles and the Israelites' lack of faith.

The psalmist recalls the plagues God sent against the Egyptians, the dry path God created through the Red Sea, the manna God sent to feed the people in the desert, God's miraculous deliverance of the people from their enemies, and his choice of David as king over the people, among other stories.

Sadly, the people would accept God's deliverance or provision but quickly forget God's goodness and turn back to rebellious grumbling and complaining and outright idolatry.

"Marvelous things He did in the sight of their fathers" (v. 12)
"He split the rocks in the wilderness, and gave them drink in abundance like the depths." (v. 15)
"Yet He commanded the clouds above, and opened the doors of heaven, had rained down manna on them to eat, and given them of the bread of heaven." (v. 24,25)
"And He led them on safely, so that they did not fear; but the sea overwhelmed their enemies." (v. 53)
"He also drove out the nations before them, allotted them an inheritance by survey, and made the tribes of Israel dwell in their tents." (v. 55)

"They did not keep the covenant of God; they refused to walk in His law, and forgot His works and His wonders that He had shown them." (v. 10,11)
"But they sinned even more against Him, by rebelling against the Most High in the wilderness. And they tested God in their heart by asking for the food of their fancy." (v. 17,18)
"In spite of this they still sinned, and did not believe in His wondrous works." (v. 32)
"How often they provoked Him in the wilderness, and grieved Him in the desert!" (v. 40)

Two verses, in particular, stood out to me, among these stories.

"Yes, again and again they tempted God, and limited the Holy One of Israel." (v. 41)
By complaining against God and refusing to believe, in spite of His wondrous works, these people limited God. God could change the course of nature, but God would not force anyone to love Him or believe in Him. Love and faith must come from within our own hearts. God has given us those attributes as equipment. We will need them to lead a rational life that acknowledges the reality of God. But, we must choose to use love and faith. God will not force us to use them.

"In spite of this they still sinned, and did not believe in His wondrous works. Therefore their days He consumed in futility, and their years in fear." (v. 32,33)

It appears that living under God's judgment can go unnoticed and unrecognized by its recipients. Those living in unbelief can be vulnerable to all kinds of sales tactics that play on fear, rather than on confidence and faith. In other words:
"If you don't buy this product you might be: unpopular, poor, unattractive, lonely, victimized, unsafe, unable to perform sexually..."

 And, those living in unbelief can live lives of futility, consumed with trying to be happy, fulfilled, content, wealthy, popular, attractive or successful. When we make any of those things our goal, they always stay just a little out of our reach. We always have to work a little harder, stay up a little later, be willing to sacrifice our standards to reach these goals....

The only goal that will bring lasting happiness, fulfillment, acceptance, provision and contentment is the pursuit of God and obedience to His Word.

Paul affirmed these truths to his student Timothy, centuries later, in 1 Timothy 6:6-12:

"Now godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content. But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare,and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition. for the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. But you, O man of God, flee these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness. Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called and have confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses." (New King James Version)

--Posted by Mama O.